A Phoenix Lament
Ministry of Magic Lyrics


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*Verse 1 (Ryan)
I'm tired and thin
Haven't slept since the war
I'm a mess of wounded skin
Like a wine sack that's been torn

In the sacred space
Behind the lids of my eyes
Mad-Eye darkly holds my gaze
And I can still see Frederick's laughing face

*Chorus (Mark)
It's not enough
To say that time
Can mend my wings
That one day I'll fly

And it's not enough
This acheless scar
Some wounds are still burning
Let me live as one earning his life

*Break (Luke)
And we all fall down
And we all fall down

Behind the lids of my eyes
I can still see Fredrick's laughing face
Far away
And I can still see Fredrick's laughing face

*Chorus (MoMoM)
It's not enough (not enough)
To say that time (say that time)
Can mend my wings (mend my wings)
That one day I'll fly (one day I'll fly)

It's not enough (not enough)
This acheless scar (acheless scar)
Some wounds are still burning (wounds are still burning)
Let me live as one earning his life (earning his life)

Darkest nights turn into dawns




Golden lights are chords for songs of love
Something death cannot erase

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ministry of Magic's song "A Phoenix Lament" talk about the aftermath of the war in the wizarding world. The song starts with the singer, who is tired and thin, and mentions that he hasn't slept since the war. He describes himself as a mess of wounded skin, comparing himself to a wine sack that has been torn. The second line of the verse talks about the sacred space behind the lids of his eyes, where Mad-Eye Moody's dark gaze holds his attention. He then reveals that even though the war is over, he can still see Frederick's laughing face, indicating that the singer has been deeply affected by the loss of his friend.


The chorus is sung by Mark and makes a poignant statement. He talks about how time cannot heal all wounds, especially when it comes to emotional trauma. While some wounds may become scars, they still bear the pain of the past. Mark conveys his desire to live as one earning his life, meaning he does not want to take his life and its precious moments for granted. The song ends with MoMoM singing about how even in the darkest nights, hope prevails, and the magical world is full of songs of love that cannot be erased by death.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm tired and thin
I am physically and emotionally exhausted


Haven't slept since the war
I have not been able to rest since the war ended


I'm a mess of wounded skin
My body is scarred and damaged from the war


Like a wine sack that's been torn
I feel like a bag that has been ripped open and drained


In the sacred space
In the deep, private place within myself


Behind the lids of my eyes
When I close my eyes and look inward


Mad-Eye darkly holds my gaze
I am haunted by the memory of Mad-Eye Moody and his intense stare


And I can still see Frederick's laughing face
I cannot forget the joyful expression of Frederick, who was lost in the war


It's not enough
Merely saying or believing something is not sufficient


To say that time
To suggest that the passage of time alone will heal my wounds


Can mend my wings
Can repair the damage done to me and help me soar again


That one day I'll fly
That I will one day be able to rise above my current struggles


This acheless scar
Even though some of my wounds have healed, I am still in pain


Some wounds are still burning
I carry lasting emotional pain and trauma from the war


Let me live as one earning his life
I want to work hard and find purpose in order to truly feel alive


Darkest nights turn into dawns
Even the most difficult times will eventually pass


Golden lights are chords for songs of love
Love and beauty can be found in even the most unexpected places


Something death cannot erase
Love and beauty are eternal and can never be truly destroyed




Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Kirschhh_

I love this song! Even if it makes me cry

Trinity McAlaster

The line "I can still see Fredrick's laughing face." always makes me cry.EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.MAN

Theodore

Have you heard the song ' fread's dead' by Gred and Feorge?

A Very Simple Life

Same here! :'( Fred's death was definitely the saddest in the whole series, because one twin is never a whole without the other.

xXWilleWaloXx

"in the sacred space behind the lids of my eyes" god. those lyrics are SO powerful to me. this whole song is just amazingly written! so poetic and beautiful.

hermyslilsis

This song is one of my very favorite of all time (of ALL TIME). It still makes me tear up sometimes, it is absolutely brilliant. <3

Eyulfable Eyulf

I cried at Dobby's death. He devoted his entire life to helping people, even if they didn't want his help. Even after Harry asked him not to try to save him anymore in the second book, he saved all of their butts several times in the seventh. He showed compassion without thinking about the consequences, which made him reckless, but sweet.

Madeleine Adele

I can't believe I only discovered this song a couple weeks ago. It breaks my heart, but it's so unbelievably amazing.

foreverjynxed

SO MUCH crying when listening to this song... :'D This is exactly how I'd always imagined Harry's reaction to the final war. Just a perfect song, amazingly summing up everything in a few verses of song, just brilliant! Also, I had a box of tissues next to me during my first read of the book. Upside: I was literally whooping and cheering during Harry and Voldy's final showdown. XD It was all worth it for that final epic moment... :D

Debbie Holland

This is one of those songs i have listened to a million times but it drags me into a haze of feelings so i can never remember the words... I love this song soooo much!! Thanks for putting it up

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